An urgent appeal has been launched for the immediate release of El Mahdi Lyoubi, the Moroccan filmmaker and rapper detained since July 13, 2026, under an undisclosed travel ban. His case has ignited widespread concern over the state of artistic and press freedoms in the country.
a rising voice silenced
Born in Salé in 1992, El Mahdi Lyoubi moved to Marseille in 2017 after training at the prestigious Fémis film school. Over the years, he has built an international reputation as a documentary filmmaker, with his short film Marseille, 14 juillet showcased at major festivals including New Directors-New Films (MoMA, New York), Sheffield DocFest, and the Tangier African Film Festival. His upcoming documentary project, supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), reflects his commitment to social justice and creative expression.
On July 10, 2026, as Lyoubi prepared to return to France following a family visit and filming research, authorities at Rabat-Salé Airport notified him of a travel restriction—without providing any justification. Denied boarding, he was escorted to a police station in Salé, where officers could not clarify the decision. He was later summoned to appear before the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) in Casablanca on July 13.
During a day-long interrogation, Lyoubi was placed under custody. His family only learned informally that his arrest might be linked to social media posts, though no further details were disclosed. By July 15, he faced the prosecutor and was subsequently jailed in Oukacha prison pending a July 22 hearing—coinciding with a nationwide lawyers’ strike that has denied him legal counsel.
a pattern of repression against artists
Lyoubi’s detention is not an isolated incident. Since late 2025, Morocco has witnessed a surge in legal actions against artists for their creative works. Pause Flow, a rapper known for his politically charged lyrics, was arrested in November 2025 and sentenced in June 2026 to three months of suspended prison time for
